Dear Party Leaders,
We are writing to urge you to make literacy a national priority in this federal election.
Newly released data from the 2024 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) confirms that 19 percent of Canadian adults are at the two lowest literacy levels. These individuals face significant barriers to participating fully in work, education, and community life. Canada’s economic future, social cohesion, and ability to compete globally all depend on a population with strong foundational skills such as literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy.
Research has shown that even a modest increase in adult literacy levels could result in up to 67 billion dollars in economic gains each year (CanWest Foundation, 2018). Investing in literacy is not only a social imperative, but also a sound economic strategy.
While education is primarily a provincial and territorial responsibility, literacy is a cross- cutting issue with clear national implications. The PIAAC findings underscore that many jurisdictions are not meeting the needs of their populations, particularly in marginalized and underserved communities. Addressing this gap requires federal leadership and coordinated collaboration with provinces, territories, businesses, and community-based organizations.
The next federal government can demonstrate leadership and advance a comprehensive National Literacy Strategy, grounded in equity, evidence, and collaboration.
The literacy sector is ready to partner with the Canadian government. Our organizations support learners from early childhood through adulthood, in urban, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. We deliver early and family literacy programs, offer learning opportunities in community and workplace settings, and respond to the evolving skills required in today’s world.
In today’s world, literacy must be understood as a broad set of critical skills that include financial, health, and digital competencies, all of which enable individuals to participate fully in society. To advance meaningful change, Canada needs a shared, modern definition of literacy that reflects its evolving nature and informs policy, practice, and public discourse.
Together as a group of leaders and experts from across the country, we have identified the following vision and goals that we urge all federal parties to include in their platforms:
- Universal access to early language and literacy support for families, beginning at birth, to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and well being.
- High quality, culturally inclusive reading and writing instruction for all children and youth, with remedial support and meaningful engagement with families and communities to strengthen literacy outcomes.
- Accessible community and workplace-based literacy programs for adults and out of school youth, including those with diverse learning needs and backgrounds, to develop the skills required in today’s economy.
- Improved sharing of literacy and skills data across jurisdictions, with a focus on identifying the root causes of low literacy and guiding evidence-based solutions.
- Equitable access to literacy support, including plain language communication, appropriate accommodations, and outreach that reflects the cultural and social diversity of underserved communities.
We, the undersigned, believe that advancing literacy is essential to building a more inclusive, prosperous, and resilient Canada. With thoughtful leadership and a coordinated approach, we can ensure that everyone has the literacy skills they need to fully participate in society and the economy. This is crucial for the future of Canada.
ABC Life Literacy Canada
Bookmates Inc.
Canada West Foundation
Canadian Children Literacy Foundation
CanLearn Society
Centre for Family Literacy
Children’s Book Bank
Children’s Reading Room
Decoda Literacy Solutions
Dollywood Foundation of Canada
Dyslexia Canada
Early Learning and Literacy Alliance Waterloo Region (ELLA)
First Book Canada
Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan
Gaspésie Literacy Council
Learning Disabilities Association of Prince Edward Island
Learning Disabilities & ADHD Network, Calgary Region
LiftED (formerly the Leacock Foundation)
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick
Literacy Lambton
Literacy Nova Scotia
MAGNET inc.
Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy (MTML)
National Alliance for Children and Youth
NWT Literacy Council
Ontario Native Literacy Coalition
PEI Literacy Alliance
Start2Finish
Resilient Kids Canada
The Children’s Book Bank
The Reading Partnership
United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College)
Yarmouth County Learning Network (YCLN)
